Newcastle star Emre's immediate future in English football may rest in the hands of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The FA are continuing their probe into allegations that Emre racially abused Howard during United's game at Goodison Park last Saturday.

And although Magpies boss Glenn Roeder insists that Everton themselves have exonerated Emre of guilt, the FA intend to demand that Howard give them his version of events this week.

Moreover, Roeder has raised the stakes of the investigation - by calling for players guilty of racist abuse to be banned from the game for up to a year . . .

And vowing to quit St James's Park himself if any of his squad are proved to be racist.

Roeder discussed the Emre issue with Everton boss David Moyes following the final whistle at Goodison, and believed the issue to be resolved.

Roeder also insisted that Emre has been devastated by the claims made against him by fans in the Gladys Road End of Everton's ground.

"They are a load of toffee," blasted the Newcastle manager.

But referee Dermot Gallagher was sufficiently concerned by comments made by Everton players following Emre's flare-up with Howard that he mentioned the matter in his post-match report, prompting the FA to act.

And Soho Square sources are insisting that they will pursue nothing less than a thorough investigation of the incident.

"He came to see me on Thursday. There had been bad headlines in the papers in Turkey and of course it bothered him. His mum and dad have been really upset by it.

"The allegations are wide of the mark, and as far as we are concerned the incident is now completely closed. I thought a half hour after the game there was no case to be answered." And Roeder added: "We have black players in our squad, and I'd have been shocked if Emre had said anything that was racist. It's something I will not tolerate.

"I grew up with black people and black players. If I ever had the feeling that any of the players here were racist, I wouldn't stay at Newcastle.

"What we need to do if a person is found guilty of racist abuse is to come down hard, really hard.

"I am not talking about three, six or 10 games. If it's proven someone has racially abused another player, we cut them out, take them out for six months or a season. Take them out lock stock.